Showing posts with label Book Club Discussion Questions. Show all posts

Book Club Kit: War of the Wind by Victoria Williamson

Disclosure: The FTC Disclosure Provision is a law that requires influencers to disclose when they are being paid to promote a product or service. So please know that if I'm not making money through affiliate links/sponsored content on the post you're currently reading, it's an oversight on my part and will be corrected soon. Read the full disclosure about all the legal stuff here.

Please be aware going into this post that it is for people who have read the book and therefore contains some spoilers.

About the book

Publisher: Neem Tree Press

Genre: Middle Grade/Young Adult, Thriller, Mystery

Number of pages: 250

ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1915584612

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1915584618

ASIN ‏ : ‎B0BRJT1CZG

Published: September 2023

Purchasing link: Amazon affiliate link

Goodreads

Book Covers

Book Cover War of the Wind by Victoria Williamson

Book synopsis for War of the Wind by Victoria Williamson

On a remote Scottish island, fourteen-year-old Max’s life changes forever when he loses his hearing in a boating accident. Struggling to make sense of his new life and finding it hard to adapt in school, he begins to notice other — even stranger — changes taking place when a new wind farm appears off the island’s coast.

With the help of three school friends with additional support needs, Max discovers that a sinister scientist, Doctor Ashwood, is using wind turbines to experiment on the islanders. They must find a way to shut down the government’s secret test before it spins out of control…

About the Author

Victoria Williamson, Author of War of the Wind

Victoria Williamson is an award-winning author who grew up in Scotland surrounded by hills, books, and an historical farm estate which inspired many of her early adventure stories and spooky tales. After studying Physics at the University of Glasgow, she set out on her own real-life adventures, which included teaching maths and science in Cameroon, training teachers in Malawi, teaching English in China and working with children with additional support needs in the UK. Victoria currently works part time writing KS2 books for the education company Twinkl and spends the rest of her time writing novels, and visiting schools, libraries and literary festivals to give author talks and run creative writing workshops.

Victoria’s previous novels include The Fox Girl and the White Gazelle, The Boy with the Butterfly Mind, Hag Storm, and War of the Wind. She has won the Bolton Children’s Fiction Award 2020/2021, The YA-aldi Glasgow Secondary School Libraries Book Award 2023, and has been shortlisted for the Week Junior Book Awards 2023, The Leeds Book Awards 2023, the Red Book Award 2023, the James Reckitt Hull Book Awards 2021, The Trinity School Book Awards 2021, and longlisted for the ABA South Coast Book Awards 2023, the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2020, and the Branford Boase Award 2019.

Her latest novel, The Pawnshop of Stolen Dreams, is a middle grade fantasy inspired by classic folklore. Twenty percent of the author royalties for this book are donated to CharChar Literacy, an organisation working to improve children’s literacy levels in Malawi.

Authors website: www.strangelymagical.com

Author Interviews with Victoria Williamson

"War of the Wind was actually my mother’s idea. I was having dinner with her one night, when she said out of the blue, “Oh, I came up with an idea for a book for you today – it’s about wind turbines sending out secret signals, and it’s called War of the Wind.” She hadn’t developed the idea any further than that, but I loved the concept, and it planted the seed grew into the final novel." - Read the full interview at Neem Tree Press

"I think characters need to be flawed, as that’s the only way to make them realistic." - Read the full interview at Valinora Troy

"Before I became an author, I worked with children with additional support needs, and I think it’s really important that all children get the opportunity to see characters like themselves taking centre stage in the action of a story." - Read the full interview at Parrot Street Book Club

Book Reviews of War of the Wind by Victoria Williamson

My Review of War of the Wind by Victoria Williamson

"There was just so much I enjoyed about War of the Wind: The diverse characters, the suspense, the depth, the complexity, the emotions. - Read the full review at The Artsy Reader" Read the full review at The Artsy Reader

"Overall, War of the Wind was an enjoyable read. It had some wonderful characters and representation in it. There were a few plot points that didn’t sit well with me, but overall I liked it." Read the full review at Books Are 42

"I would recommend this book to anyone interested in a brilliant teen thriller with some dark twists. I’m not sure if it should be called an eco thriller, it’s more of a creepy thriller with a bit of a dystopian twist, but it’s definitely a brilliant thriller nonetheless and also a great story with a main protagonist and other characters who are disabled, which is not only relatively uncommon in teen books, but also shown in a positive way which is good." Read the full review at The Strawberry Post

Awards

Winner of the YA-ldi Glasgow Secondary School Libraries’ Book Award 2023

Shortlisted for The Week Junior Children’s Book of the Year (Older Fiction) Award 2023

Shortlisted for the Leeds Book Awards 2023

Longlisted for the RED Book Awards 2023

Longlisted for the South Coast Schools ABA Book Awards 2023

BookTrust Book of the Month for February 2022

A Financial Times Best YA Books of the Year 2022

The Scottish Book Trust Book of the Month for November 2022

Discussion Questions for War of the Wind by Victoria Williamson

The island doesn't have internet before the wind turbines. If you lived somewhere without internet how would your life be different?

As a society do you feel we've become too obsessed with our phones/technology?

Communication is a strong theme of the book. How do you feel each character could have been a more effective communicator?

Has the development of the internet and social media caused a change in the way we communicate?

Disability representation is a strong element in this book. Do you think this is something that is included enough in literature? Why do you think representation is important?

How much do you trust media coverage of events?

Quotes from War of the Wind by Victoria Williamson

How could she know what it was like to delete an entire digital music collection because looking at the names of the favourite bands I couldn’t listen to anymore sent me into a tailspin of grief?

I clambered out of my bedroom window carefully, gazing down the hill at the new turbines outlined against the dark sky. From here they looked like giant skeletons with three outstretched hands , ready to come striding up the beach towards me. I shuddered, dropping from the sill and sliding down onto the porch roof.

I felt Erin’s fingers clutch at my wrist, and I didn’t need to look round to know she was just as worried as me. As we stared down at the group at the bottom of the stairs, I wished for the billionth time I hadn’t gone and got my ears panned in. I could really do with hearing what they were saying right now.

He was ready for his soundwave test, but I wasn’t sure if I was. My head felt like it had been shattered into a thousand pieces.

Other books by Victoria Williamson that you might want to check out:

Feast of Ashes

Norah’s Ark

The Haunting Scent of Poppies

Pawnshop of Stolen Dreams

You might also like: Best Reads of 2023

You can find more book club kits here.

Books

Book Club Kit: One of the Good Guys by Araminta Hall

Please be aware going into this post that it is for people who have read the book and therefore contains some spoilers.

About the book

Publisher: Gillian Flynn Books

Genre: Thriller

Number of pages: 304

‎ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1638931550

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1638931553

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BVDQ2DK4

Published: January 2024

Purchasing link: Amazon affiliate link

Goodreads

Book Covers

One of the Good Guys by Araminta Hall book cover

Book synopsis for One of the Good Guys by Araminta Hall

If most men claim to be good, why are most women still afraid to walk home alone at night?

Desperate to escape the ghosts of his failed marriage, Cole upends his life. He leaves London behind for a remote stretch of coast, relishing the respite from the noise, drama, and relentless careerism that curdled his relationship and mental health. Leonora has made the same move for similar reasons. She’s living a short walk from Cole’s seaside cottage, preparing for her latest art exhibition. Although Cole still can’t figure out what went wrong with his marriage, and Leonora is having trouble acclimating to the hostile landscape, the pair forges a connection on the eroding bluff they call home.

Then two young female activists raising awareness about gendered violence disappear while passing through. Cole and Leonora suddenly find themselves in the middle of a police investigation--and the resulting media firestorm when the world learns of what happened. And as the tension escalates alongside the search for the missing women, they quickly realize that they don’t know each other that well after all.

About the Author

Araminta Hall began her career in journalism as a staff writer on teen magazine Bliss, becoming Health and Beauty editor of New Woman. On her way, she wrote regular features for the Mirror's Saturday supplement and ghost-wrote the super-model Caprice's column.

Author Interviews and guest posts

"When I started writing One of the Good Guys I kept a little strip of paper pinned above my desk. It read: women have had enough and it made me brave. I didn’t want my book to have any female victims in it, I didn’t want anyone to be saved. But to do this I realised I needed to flip the idea of the thriller on its head." - Read the full interview at Writing.ie

"...when I started writing One of the Good Guys, that I wanted to flip the narrative. I didn’t want small wins. The novel’s set up feels like a familiar thriller – a woman living on the edge of a cliff in a ramshackle cottage, a man who seems too good to be true moving in nearby and two young women going missing on a walk as they pass through the treacherous landscape. But once I’d done that I wanted to make sure that nothing felt familiar." Read the full post at Culture Fly

"For me every character needs to have shades of everything to make them work as fully rounded, believable individuals – the truth is we all have moments of victimhood in us, we’ve all felt defeated at times, which is why the idea is still so potent." Read the full interview at Muddy Stilettos

Book Reviews

My Review of One of the Good Guys by Araminta Hall

"Well, this book certainly makes you think. It’s one of those books that poses some very important questions and will encourage discussion amongst those who have read it. It is very current and very relevant, a very complex book that takes a look at the modern world, where women’s safety is very firmly on the agenda, and the abuse and violence experienced by women is put very definitely under the spotlight. But it’s also a book that is as clever as it is complex and I really rather liked it." Read the full review at Jen Med's Book Reviews

"Overall, this is definitely a worthwhile novel, but I think my enjoyment of it was very much enhanced by the audio performance which really blew me away. Highly recommend listening to it!" - Read the full review at That Publishing Blog

"Deeply unsettling but totally brilliant, One of the Good Guys is a book that demands to be read. Desperation, depravity, danger, dark deeds and disturbed relationships saturate the page of this powerful and all-too familiar tale." - Read the full review at Emma’s Biblio Treasures

"Hall writes well and keeps you guessing as you read, your opinion of the characters (who you will love to hate) wavering at times until you start doubting yourself, until you reach the end and make your final decision." - Read the full review at Paradise is a Library

Discussion Questions

Do you think Cole was a good guy or a bad guy? Why?

Why do you think it took Mel so long to see what Cole was doing to her?

Was destroying the embryos the right thing to do?

Why do you think Cole believed he was doing nothing wrong?

Is silence consent?

Was Laura right to accuse Cole after so any years? Do you think there is a time limit on calling rape?

How much do you think Cole's parents were to blame for his behaviour?

Were Lennie, Mel, and the girls wrong to stage the disappearance of the girls?

Do you think Cole will ever become a father and if so, what sort of father do you think he will be?

How much do you think social media and the media in general manipulate stories to sway public opinion?

Do you agree that the media was only interested in the story because the girls were thought to be kidnapped? Why was the walk not enough to get attention for their cause?

Do you think that there was media attention because the girls were young, attractive and white? Would it have been different if they were older or a different race?

Quotes from One of the Good Guys by Araminta Hall

...asked if I wanted to think about anti-depressants, which I actually found more depressing than the headaches. I hate the way we’re always encouraged to think of a chemical, rather than a lifestyle, solution.

But it’s always that way, isn’t it? Men are expected to be the ones to leave. As if men don’t have an inner life or as much of an emotional connection to spaces and things as women do. Which means , when it comes down to the messy process of splitting up, it’s the women who get to be coddled and cared for, even if they’re the one who’s fucked it up.

I could tell by the way she was shouting that she was annoyed. Marriage does that to a person. It gives you a superhuman ability to detect moods from the slightest movement or sound.

Men like Cole believe they’re right because society has told them that they are their whole lives.

Life is very fragile, but it doesn’t do you any favors thinking that way.

There’s no let up when you’re a woman, whether that’s in the public eye or waiting at the school gates. You can never do anything right. You’re judged for what you say, and even what you don’t say, but never actually heard . So, in the end, you either break or you think fuck it, I might as well just be the person I want to be.

kelly: Well, it ticks a lot of boxes—they’re young, pretty, and, let’s be honest, middle-class white women. Those types of women always get way more coverage than poorer women or women of color, which is a subject we absolutely have to address in our society. We don’t expect bad things to happen to women like Molly and Phoebe and, when they do, there’s a certain element of thrill. We almost forget that real people are involved.

Men are allowed to act, but women, it seems, should only react.

there is so much to fear as a woman, but what people think of you shouldn’t be one of them.

You might also like: Best Reads of 2023

You can find more Book Club Kits here

Book Club Kit

The Girl Under the Flag by Alex Amit

Please be aware going into this post that it is for people who have read the book and therefore contains some spoilers.

About the book

Publisher: Independently published

Genre: Historical, World War 2, Holocaust

Number of pages: 384

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8678218247

ASIN ‏ : ‎B08L5J1LM7

Published: 4th January 2021

Purchasing links: Amazon

Goodreads

Book Covers

Book Synopsis for The Girl Under the Flag by Alex Amit

Monique would do anything to live.

Running for her life from the Nazis, Monique, a seventeen-year-old Jewish girl, escapes through the streets of Paris, searching for a place to hide.

In a dark basement deep within the city, Philip, a man of the Resistance, offers her a deal in order to save her life by changing her identity. In return, she needs to provide information about the Germans by becoming acquainted with them.

Torn between her feelings for Philip and her fear of Herr Ernest, a German officer who shows special interest in her, Monique steps deeper and deeper into the jaws of the Nazi beast. But with every day that passes, she knows that it is only a matter of time before she makes a mistake and becomes discovered by the Germans - the price for that being her life.

Through her own eyes, Monique tells of her efforts to survive within occupied Paris, torn between the cafés bustling with people and the poor citizens endlessly waiting in lines, food-ration stubs in hand. But above all, this is a story about a girl who has to fight for her freedom during those dark and dreadful days, fervently refusing to give up, while the German soldiers march through the streets of Paris, stomping the ground with their hobnailed boots.

About the Author

Alex Amit is a historical fiction writer, and the author of the WW2 Girls series.

In his books, Alex Amit writes about the brave women fighting in those dark days, facing the enemy and not giving up despite the high stakes before them, knowing that they must succeed.

Alex began his career as an author after dedicating more than a decade to learning the history of WW2, equipped with a BSc in Psychology. In his writing, he combines historical facts and an appreciating point of view of the difficulties, dilemmas, and fears accompanying his books’ heroines.

Alex is the father of a young man and woman taking their first steps into the adult world, and of an old and anxious dog. He also an amateur photographer, painter, and sometime-poet.

Authors website

Book Reviews

My Review of The Girl Under the Flag by Alex Amit

"This is a must read for anyone who likes WW11 novels, or who wants and exciting and inspirational book to read. I guarantee you will not be able to put it down!" - Sue G., Net Galley Read the full review here.

"WWII Paris comes alive in this gripping book by Alex Amit. A young girl is forced to question what her true values are when the French City comes under control of Nazi Germany. The descriptions are tight and deceptive and paint an picture of a long ago era when evil was very real. As a history buff of WWII, I enjoyed this book. - Alan K., Net Galley." Read the full Review here.

"Just wow! This book kept me up all night. You felt as though you were with Monique as she dived deeper, dealing with the internal struggle she faced. She is a strong, well-developed character." - Librarian 303131, Net Galley. Read the full review here.

"Fast paced and packed with tension, I found myself holding my breath as I read this one. I was fully engaged with the storyline, and found it impossible to put down." - Sarah K., Net Galley. Read the full review here.

Discussion Questions

Had Jacob hidden with Monique do you think they both would have survived?

Do you think Ernest ever suspected Monique?

Lizette became like family to Monique in a way. Do you think she always knew who Monique truly was?

Simone was always a little hard on Monique and didn't approve of her spending time with the Germans. Why do you think she still let her work for her?

Monique and Phillip had a difficult relationship. Why do you think Phillip left? Was it because of the work he had to do or was it because of Monique sleeping with Ernest?

If you were ever in Monique's situation do you think you'd be able to do what she did (sleep with the enemy)?

Do you think the treatment (after the liberation) of those who had befriended the Germans was justified?

How important do you think the role of these women, like Monique, was for the resistance?

Quotes from The Girl Under the Flag by Alex Amit

Tears drip down my cheeks, I don’t want them to look for me, I don’t want to be Jewish, I want to be just an anonymous girl, why did they come at all? Why are they taking us? My body is shaking and I’m so cold.

“Will I die?”“Maybe, maybe I will die too, life is given to those who are willing to fight for it.”“I want to live.”“I cannot guarantee you that.”

“Next week, I have to go on a day trip to the North Shore area. Would you like to join me? Just the two of us.” And I nod to him in the affirmative , releasing my hand and walking down the boulevard. What else could I answer him? I’m a French prostitute who will have to kiss a German officer who wants to politely hunt down the Jews.

“Be careful,” I ask them, not before looking one last time at the garden gate and the peeling sign. I’m so glad I did not find the painting that hung in my bedroom.

“Don’t you understand? I do not want to see you anymore, ever. Get out of my life . I’m like the rats in the Nazi movies, everyone I touch dies or leaves. I spread diseases. I slept with a German officer; you will never marry me. I am an infected Jew.”

You might also like: Me Before You Trivia Quiz

Are you a book blogger? Check out 101 Blog Post Ideas For Book Bloggers

If you'd like to support me, donating goes a long way to helping with the running of this blog. Thanks for your support 💗

Donate now

Book Club Kit: Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six by Lisa Unger

If your book club thrives on thrilling twists, psychological intrigue, and dark secrets, Lisa Unger’s Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six is the perfect pick.

In this post, you’ll find everything you need to host a dynamic discussion: from detailed book insights and reviews to thought-provoking questions and memorable quotes. Whether you’re a longtime Lisa Unger fan or searching for your next edge-of-your-seat thriller, this Book Club Kit for Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six is designed to guide your group through the shocking twists, hidden motives, and suspenseful moments that make this novel unputdownable.

Please be aware going into this post that it is for people who have read the book and therefore contains some spoilers.

About the book

Publisher: Park Row

Genre: Thriller, Domestic Thriller, Psychological Thriller,

Number of pages: 406

ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0778334228

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0778334224

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09PGF31YQ

Published: November 8, 2022

Purchasing links: Amazon

Goodreads

Book Covers

Book Synopsis

Three couples rent a luxury cabin in the woods for a weekend getaway to die for in this chilling locked-room thriller.

What could be more restful than a weekend getaway with family and friends? An isolated luxury cabin in the woods, spectacular views, a hot tub and a personal chef. Hannah’s generous brother found the listing online. The reviews are stellar. It'll be three couples on this trip with good food, good company and lots of R & R.

But the dreamy weekend is about to turn into a nightmare.

A deadly storm is brewing. The rental host seems just a little too present. The personal chef reveals that their beautiful house has a spine-tingling history. And the friends have their own complicated past, with secrets that run blood deep.

How well does Hannah know her brother, her own husband? Can she trust her best friend? Meanwhile, someone is determined to ruin the weekend, looking to exact a payback for deeds long buried. Who is the stranger among them?

About the Author

Lisa Unger is the New York Times and internationally bestselling author of twenty novels, including her latest SECLUDED CABIN SLEEPS SIX. With books published in thirty-three languages and millions of copies sold worldwide, she is regarded as a master of suspense.

Unger’s critically acclaimed novels have been featured on “Best Book” lists from the Today Show, Good Morning America, Entertainment Weekly, People, Amazon, Goodreads, L.A. Times, The Boston Globe, Sun Sentinel, Tampa Bay Times and many others. She has been nominated for, or won, numerous awards including the Strand Critics, Audie, Hammett, Macavity, ITW Thriller, and Goodreads Choice. In 2019, she received two Edgar Award nominations, an honor held by only a few authors, including Agatha Christie. Her short fiction has been anthologized in The Best American Mystery and Suspense, and her non-fiction has appeared in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NPR, and Travel+Leisure. Lisa is the current co-President of the International Thriller Writers organization. She lives on the west coast of Florida with her family.

Authors website

Author Interviews

Australian Writers’ Centre with Lisa Unger (Jan 24, 2023)

A Bookish Home with Lisa Unger (Jan 17, 2023)

Game of Books Corks & Conversation II with Lisa Unger (Nov 11, 2022)

FOX 13 News with Lisa Unger (Nov 8, 2022)

Book Reviews

My Review of Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six by Lisa Unger

"This is one of those slow-build, multiple-POV suspense novels that will capture readers’ attention, while also frustrating them with the sluggish pacing." Read the full review by Smexy Books here.

"I also enjoyed getting to know the main characters. I felt like I really got a feel for all of them and with a few different POVs, I didn’t get overwhelmed or confused. They were different enough that I was able to get a read on each one that was telling the story." Read the full review by Pages, Plots and Pints here.

"...this tale is a wonderful mystery that asks a lot of intriguing questions about right and wrong and just what makes a person choose one over the other. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a dark, nuanced suspense novel." Read the full review by All About Romance here.

Awards

• People Magazine Book of the Week
• PopSugar Best Thriller and Mystery
• CrimeReads Best Psychological Thrillers
• Goodreads Editor’s and Readers Most Anticipated Book
• BookPage Best Mysteries of November
• BookBub Best Mysteries and Thrillers
• Scary Mommy Best Fall Releases
• St. Paul Pioneer Press Top Reads
• The Saturday Evening Post Best Books to Cozy Up with this Fall

Discussion Questions

Trina's adoptive dad died of suicide. If he hadn't, do you think she would still have turned into a killer eventually or do you think it was just down to what happened after his death that made her that way?

What does family mean to you? Is it important to be biologically related to be considered family?

Do you think children of sperm donors should be able to trace their biological relatives on that side of the family?

Have you ever/ Do you know anyone who has taken a DNA test before and had surprising results? If you haven’t taken one, would you ever consider it? Why or why not?

When it comes to rape, how much blame should go to those that try to cover it up? Are they just as bad as the rapist?

The owner of the cabin secretly watched all his guests. Do you think his maid knew? if yes, why do you think she never said anything about it?

In the book we get different perspectives of the people in the cabin, how does each differ from the other? First hand (involved in the situation), watching from afar in person or watching via video... which do you think offers the most truthful interpretation of what is happening? Why?

Quotes from Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six by Lisa Unger

I am the puzzle piece that you think will fit - but doesn't.

Maybe if Scott hadn't died, I never would have been curious about my donor father. Because my dad? He was enough, more than enough.

You could be biologically related but not really a family. You can be a family - like spouses - but not be biologically related.

She might endure Mako being unfaithful, but she couldn't abide that type of flaw in herself.

Henry had a hard time understanding racism. People where just people, right? hey might differ in the color of their skin, features, or cultures, but under their skin, they were all the same.

Maybe when it came to family, there were more questions than answers for some people.

"There are lots of things we don't understand about genetics. But I have to believe that our choices mean more than our biology"

Cricket had no idea what the woman was talking about, but she could tell that whatever it was, there was something even uglier, even deeper beneath it. Like the bully on the playground that's abused at home. Hurt people hurt people.

Maybe family is more than where you come from, maybe it's also where you're going, what you build with the choices you make.

"If anybody did anything, it was Mickey," she said. That was true, too. "Why should we be taking the blame for his actions?"
"Because we helped," said Cricket, her voice coming up an octave. "Maybe she's right-we're his handmaidens."

"Just do one thing for me, girls," she asked as they sat in her living room. "Tell this story so people know what really happened to Libby. So other people will think twice about covering for bad men. Just tell the truth. Because it might help someone else. Because it matters."